RTRS presents advances in the Chain of Custody Standard with Requirements for Alignment with the EUDR
The webinar, which included over 200 participants and simultaneous translation into Portuguese and Spanish, provided a comprehensive overview of the revised RTRS Chain of Custody Standard (moving towards version 3.0) and the new Optional Model IV – Alignment with EUDR Chain of Custody, designed to help companies comply with EUDR due diligence requirements. A public consultation has been opened to gather feedback, and the documents will be presented for approval at the General Assembly on November 20 in Ghent, Belgium.
On August 28, 2024, the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) held an informative webinar that offered an overview of the revised RTRS Chain of Custody Standard (towards version 3.0) and introduced the new Chain of Custody Optional Model IV: Requirements for Alignment with the EUDR. The webinar registered 230 participants from 160 organizations across 31 different countries. To ensure broad participation and understanding, the event was simultaneously translated into Portuguese and Spanish. Among the represented organizations, 48 were RTRS members and 112 were non-members.
In 2020, RTRS officially became a member of the new European Commission Platform for Multi Stakeholder Dialogue on Deforestation and Forest Degradation. Since 2021, the Association has been actively involved in the European Commission’s agenda, addressing new regulations such as the European Union Regulation on Products Free from Deforestation (EUDR) and other emerging directives. Since 2022, RTRS has worked on a concept and solution to meet EUDR requirements, collaborating with global soy supply chain experts. This concept has evolved over time, adjusting to feedback from sectors and stakeholders.
The review process for the RTRS Chain of Custody Standard V2.3 began in 2022, driven by growing interest in the Standard and a request to include physical flows in supply chains. Consultations with stakeholders were conducted, and initial concepts were presented at the RTRS International Conference in 2022. Subsequent consultations with advisory groups and producers led to this webinar.
The new Chain of Custody Optional Model IV: Requirements for Alignment with the EUDR is designed to offer traceability and ensure that the soy obtained meets EUDR requirements. This model provides a supply chain solution aligned with EUDR due diligence requirements, relevant for companies exporting to the EU, while also promoting the growth of responsible soy production.
The goal of the review of the RTRS Chain of Custody Standard to move to version 3.0 and the development of the new Optional Chain of Custody Model IV: Requirements for Alignment with the EUDR is to ensure that the RTRS certification system remains robust and aligned with the regulatory landscape, while contributing to a more responsible and transparent soy supply chain.
Luiza Bruscato, Global Executive Director of RTRS, stated: “We are very pleased to see the strong interest in this subject. Since 2020, we have been deeply involved in the European Commission’s agenda, addressing new regulations such as the EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR). RTRS has been working on a possible solution to meet EUDR requirements, consulting with experts and our Board of Directors. We have significantly evolved and adapted the concept of this optional model that we have presented.”
Ana Laura Andreani, RTRS Technical Unit Manager, said: “With the growing demand for Chain of Custody certification, we understood that our standard needed to be revised to be more applicable across the entire supply chain. Additionally, the EUDR presents a significant challenge for everyone, and we want to support and assist RTRS-certified companies in navigating this. The review process was lengthy and involved much learning; we are proud of the outcome and hope it will be a key tool for the market and facilitate regulatory compliance.”
Laura Villegas, RTRS Global Market Development and Corporate Affairs Manager, emphasized:
“We, all actors of the soy sector, are in a demanding context, considering the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agendas, as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the European Commission’s evolving regulatory landscape. The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is just the beginning of a stringent trend of new and forthcoming regulations and directives.”
“The introduction of the revised Chain of Custody Standard V3.0 and the new Chain of Custody Optional Model IV – Requirements for Alignment with EUDR are additional steps developed to help actors of the supply chain comply with regulatory requirements and, beyond that, with sustainability goals. We believe we have presented another relevant and realistic solution for the soybean value chain to implement; and we are very much looking forward to seeing the sector’s reaction,” added Villegas.
Next Steps
From September 2 to 18, a public consultation will be open to gather feedback on the new Chain of Custody Optional Model IV: Requirements for Alignment with the EUDR. Additionally, during the General Assembly on November 20, following the closing of the RTRS 2024 International Conference “Towards a Regenerative Transition” in Ghent, Belgium, the documents will be presented to RTRS members for approval.
Participation in the public consultation is crucial to ensure that the new model and the revision of the RTRS Chain of Custody Standard reflect the needs and expectations of all stakeholders in the soybean supply chain. Your feedback will help refine and improve the certification system to effectively meet the requirements of the EUDR regulation and other sustainability standards.
If you were unable to attend the webinar “Overview of the Revised RTRS Chain of Custody Standard (towards version 3.0) and the New Optional Chain of Custody Model IV: Requirements for Alignment with the EUDR,” you can access the recording HERE on the RTRS YouTube channel.
Discover how the Optional Model IV: Requirements for Alignment with the EUDR Chain of Custody and the revised RTRS Chain of Custody Standard can help achieve compliance with the EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR).
To find out more and participate in the public consultation, click here.
